American Shipbuilding Association

Congress Will Increase Naval Fleet

Following submission of the President’s budget to Congress, which requests $12.5 billion for seven naval ships, leaders in the House of Representatives have vowed to add money and ships to the budget this year.  Representatives Ike Skelton (D-MO), Jack Murtha (D-PA), and Gene Taylor (D-MS), the Chairmen of the House Armed Services Committee, and Defense Appropriations, and Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittees, respectively, have vowed to add five ships to the FY 2008 budget request. 

The Administration is asking for one aircraft carrier, one nuclear attack class submarine, one amphibious transport dock ship, three littoral combat ships, and one combat force logistics ship.  The budget request also includes funding to complete the first two multi-mission land attack destroyers.  The following chart depicts the Navy’s FY 2008 shipbuilding budget:

This budget is clearly an improvement over previous years.  Unfortunately, the budget is $1.6 billion below the $14.1 billion the Chief of Naval Operations stated was needed in FY 2008 to begin rebuilding the fleet.  The U.S. Navy presently numbers 276 ships.  Twelve or more ships must be procured each year to rebuild the fleet to a minimum force of 300 ships.  Even at this build rate, it will take almost 30 years to restore the fleet to a 300-ship Navy.  Early indications from Congressional leaders are that they will add one amphibious transport dock ship, one combat force logistics ship (both of which were included on the Navy’s unfunded priority list submitted to Congress), a second submarine, and two littoral combat ships, or perhaps DDG-51 destroyers to the Navy’s budget.

House Subcommittee Investigates Increased Submarine Procurement

In a hearing before the House Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee on March 8th, representatives from the Navy and shipbuilding industry testified in response to a proposal by Congress to accelerate the procurement of the Virginia class submarine to two submarines per year.  Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Ship Programs; Vice Admiral John Donnelly, Commander of Submarine Forces; Rear Admiral Carl Mauney, Director of Submarine Warfare; and Rear Admiral William Hilarides, Program Executive Officer for Submarines, testified on the current submarine force structure and the Navy’s acquisition plan for the Virginia class.  John Casey, President of Electric Boat Corporation; Mike Petters, President of Newport News Shipbuilding; and Winfred Nash, President of BWXT Nuclear Operations Division, provided testimony on the state of the industrial base and the shipbuilding industry’s ability to build two submarines per year should Congress elect to accelerate procurement.

Subcommittee Chairman Gene Taylor (D-MS) wasted no time in getting to the heart of the hearing by asking:  “With the projected drop below the stated submarine force structure of 48 subs starting in 2020 and given the threat to this country’s future ability to design and build nuclear submarines, why doesn’t the Navy accelerate the procurement to two per year?”  Allison Stiller responded that while the Navy remains concerned about the industrial base and continues to balance the future force structure against current and emerging threats, the Navy’s position is to adhere to the current shipbuilding plan that supports the procurement of two submarines per year beginning in FY 2012.  Representatives of the Navy did acknowledge that they are implementing many of the policies outlined in a study conducted last year on ways to mitigate the negative impact to the submarine construction and design base.  The study concluded that the best way to reduce the loss of critical skills and manufacturers would be to accelerate procurement to two per year.  

During the Subcommittee’s questioning of the industry witnesses, John Casey, Mike Petters, and Winfred Nash all stressed that the shipbuilding industry is ready to begin building two submarines a year starting now.  Mr. Casey and Mr. Petters reiterated statements made before the Subcommittee last year that the best way to stabilize the industrial base and reduce the unit cost of submarines would be to accelerate procurement.  However, Mr. Petters did caution the Subcommittee that any decision to accelerate must not come at the expense of other shipbuilding programs.

In responding to a series of questions from Reps. Randy Forbes (R-VA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Joe Sestak (D-PA) about the future submarine force structure and risks to national security, Admirals Donnelly and Hilarides acknowledged that the present submarine fleet is only able to meet about 62% of overall mission requests.  The Navy agreed that the nation could use more submarines in the fleet sooner rather than later.  Rep. Taylor stressed that Congress has an opportunity this year to begin rebuilding the entire naval fleet and that the Navy needs to positively respond by executing congressional increases.  The witnesses affirmed that if Congress provided the money for a second submarine, the Navy would support accelerating procurement of two submarines per year. 

CNO Reminds Nation Why the United States Needs a Larger Navy

In statements before the House Armed Services Committee on March 1st, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Mullen testified on why investment in the U.S. naval fleet needs to be a national priority.  Below are excerpts from Admiral Mullen’s prepared statement.

We [the United States] are a maritime nation involved in a long, irregular and global war that extends far beyond Iraq and Afghanistan…We cannot allow ourselves to be fixated on one threat alone.  Our national security is dependent upon a strong Navy that can keep the sea lanes free, deter aggression, safeguard our sources of energy, protect the interests of our citizens at home and reassure our friends abroad.  We must never relinquish overmatching capability and capacity. 
…

Iran has been emboldened by the Israel/Hezbollah war and continues the overt pursuit of a nuclear production capability.  North Korea has test fired long range ballistic missiles and conducted an underground nuclear detonation.  China has demonstrated the ability and willingness to conduct out of area diesel submarine operations and their advanced military and space technology development continues apace.  The stated desire for, and apparent pursuit of, weapons of mass destruction and advanced delivery systems has increased among terrorist organizations and their state sponsors.  And within our own hemisphere, some leaders have become increasingly vocal in their opposition to policies of the United States. 
…

Our nation depends upon  a strong Navy with the global reach and persistent presence needed to provide deterrence, access,  and assurance, while delivering lethal warfighting capacity whenever and wherever it is needed…Simply reacting to change is no longer an acceptable course of action if our Navy is to successfully wage asymmetric warfare and simultaneously deter regional and transnational threats… Our nation’s security and prosperity depend upon keeping our shores safe and the world’s maritime highways open and free. 

New Partners

The American Shipbuilding welcomes EBC Industries, ESAB Welding & Cutting Products, Pacific Consolidated Industries, Wartsila Lips, Inc., and Winchester Roll Products as new members. 

EBC Industries

Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, EBC industries manufactures critical application forged fasteners.  The company has been a leading supplier of specialty fasteners since 1913. 

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products

A supplier of welding and cutting equipment worldwide, ESAB Welding and Cutting Products of Florence, South Carolina is an industry leader in working to develop new welding technologies for the construction of U.S. naval ships. 

Pacific Consolidated Industries (PCI)

Headquartered in Riverside, California, PCI is a leading provider of portable air separation equipment and high pressure, cryogenic distribution equipment.  The company is supplying liquid oxygen plants for the next generation of aircraft carriers. 

Wartsila Lips, Inc.

Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, Wartsila Lips supplies engines and power systems for naval ships.  The company manufactures the high powered reversible water jet propulsion systems for the littoral combat ship. 

Winchester Roll Products

Engaged in the design, manufacture, and machining of marine and propeller shafts, Winchester Roll Products of Winchester, New Hampshire specializes in the machining of large diameter, rotating or oscillating rounds for ship propeller shafts.

Your Help is Needed

America is at a crossroads.  The U.S. naval fleet is at a ninety year historic low of only 276 ships.  America’s security risks grow as the fleet shrinks.  Become a part of the grassroots movement in support of our Sailors and Marines, and the national security of this country.  Help rebuild the nation’s Fleet by registering as a Sea Power Ambassador. 
www.seapowerambassador.org

 Well Said!

“The United States is a maritime nation.  Our ability to influence world events and protect the peace rests squarely with our ability to project our military power, anywhere in the world on short notice, without the need for host nation support.  The United States Navy is the only service than can meet those three challenges:  short-notice deployability, worldwide reach, and operational independence.”

Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS)
Chairman, House Armed Services
Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee
March 1, 2007